A Tournament Knight

by A Tournament Knight (lit)

  "What am I doing wrong then?"

  "You are over compensating your aim. You start off fine, but halfway down the list, you think you have to correct it. If you just held steady, you would have hit the center of my shield each time."

  "All right, I will work on not over correcting. Now let us go back to the hall. I have worked up an appetite with all of this." Setting her horse into motion, she slowly started to make her way to the stables. When she did not hear Terric moving to follow, she pulled her horse to a halt. Turning in the saddle, she could still see he had not moved from where she had left him.

  "Are you coming, Terric, or do you plan on sitting there for the rest of the day?"

  "Go on ahead. I will be along shortly."

  When he made no further response, she shrugged her shoulders and then continued on to the stables by herself.

  * * * *

  Sweat was pouring off of him profusely by the time he entered his chamber. It was not caused from wearing heavy armor on a hot spring day either. It was from the strain of ignoring the painful mass his left shoulder had become.

  Not wanting to give Edwin the pleasure of knowing he was right, Terric had dismissed him once Jacqueline left the field. So now, for the sake of his pride, he suffered.

  Luck must have been on his side, because the hall had been virtually empty when he entered it. Only a few servants were about, setting the trestle table for the evening meal. They had paid him no notice as he slowly, painfully, ascended the stairs to his chamber above.

  Having shut the door behind him, Terric leaned heavily against it, trying to catch his breath. Though it had been hard getting this far, the most painful part was still to come. He had to divest himself of his armor without Edwin's assistance.

  After what felt like hours, he managed to unbuckle his breast and backplates. A knock sounded on his chamber door, just as he was about to reach up and start working on removing his chain mail. He stilled, waiting to see if whoever was there would go away.

  The knock came once more and this time the person on the other side of the door spoke. "Terric, are you in there?"

  The one person he did not want to see him like this, of course had to be the one knocking. Realizing Jacqueline would not leave him to suffer in peace, he answered her. "Aye, I am."

  "The evening meal is going to be served in a few minutes. Are you coming down to the hall?"

  "I will be along shortly. I have not finished changing."

  "Fine, but do not be long." Thinking he sounded a bit strange, she decided to leave him be and went down to the hall.

  Both Beth and her mother were seated at the trestle table. Sir Guy stood beside Lady Elizabeth, quietly talking with her. They both looked up at Jacqueline expectantly. She shook her head.

  "He is changing. He should not be much longer."

  Lady Elizabeth frowned. "What is keeping the man? He has been up there for over an hour. The servants saw him when he returned to the hall after your training. We can hold off on serving the food for a short time, but I will not have it ruined by his lateness."

  "Have no fear, mother. Terric will be down in good time."

  Moving to take a seat beside Beth, Jacqueline let her eyes drift toward the stairs. The uneasy feeling of all not being right with Terric, just would not leave her. Beth noticed her agitation.

  "What is taking him so long? From past conversations, he said a good meal was a favorable way to pass an evening."

  Jacqueline thoughtfully tapped her finger on her chin. "That is what I have been thinking. He would not be absent unless something was wrong."

  "Did the training not go well today?"

  "It did go well. At least Terric thought so. But he has a very unorthodox way of going about it. Let's just say he wanted me to treat him like a quintain."

  "Please tell me you did not agree to do it." At Jacqueline's sheepish look, Beth groaned. "Oh, Jacqueline, you could have refused."

  "Do not look at me like that. He is the one who has the most experience in this. I just did what he asked of me."

  "Well, I think he got more than he bargained for. Why else would he still be upstairs in his chamber, alone.

  It was Jacqueline's turn to look surprised. "Where is Edwin? I thought he was with Terric."

  "He is at the barracks, taking his meal with the men-at-arms."

  The uneasiness she was feeling, increased tenfold. Hearing her mother tapping her finger tips upon the table in impatience was enough to help her make up her mind. Decision made, Jacqueline stood and headed for the stairs.

  * * * *

  Standing before Terric's chamber door, she raised her fist and pounded loudly upon it. "Terric, open this door!"

  Hearing Jacqueline had returned, he sat up. He had been lying on top of the bed. Removing his chain mail had sapped the last of his energy. "I will be down momentarily."

  "No more, Terric. Either you open this door right now, or I will get the key from my mother. Which will it be?"

  Terric cursed under his breath. Plague the woman. She just could not leave well enough alone. She would not leave him in peace. Having no alternative, he slid off the bed and opened the door.

  Having Terric open the door only clothed in his hose, Jacqueline had not counted on. The sight of all that bare male flesh left her speechless. She had never seen a man without his tunic on before. Not even William. Although she had had a relatively isolated upbringing on the Isle, her mother had made especially sure Jacqueline was kept ignorant of men. As any respectable unwed daughter should be.

  Right now, the large expanse of bared chest was enough to keep her fascinated. He was solidly built, well padded with muscle. There was a light sprinkling of hair on his chest, as well. Seeing that the hair was not only on his chest, but also arrowed down and seemed to disappear past the top of his hose, caused Jacqueline to gulp. That tiny line of hair made her think wicked thoughts about what could be found beyond that point, what that particular part of Terric looked like. She might be ignorant when it came to a man's body, but that did not mean she was not curious. Quickly, she raised her eyes back up to his chest. It was then she saw his left shoulder.

  Chapter Seven

  "Did you plan to sit up here all night and suffer?"

  Stepping away from the door, Terric returned to the bed. He sat down heavily and looked up at Jacqueline. "That was not entirely how I saw my evening developing."

  Closing the door behind her, Jacqueline walked over to him. There was no missing that colorful array of bruises on his shoulder. Nor the way he was holding his left arm close to his body. "It is dislocated. Correct?"

  Terric casually tried to shrug his shoulders, which caused him to hiss in pain. He kept his eyes averted from her face. "It is nothing. Once you have had it happen at one time, it can happen again quite easily."

  Jacqueline shook her head at him, much as if he were a naughty child. "And you call me the fool."

  Her words caused him to look up at her. "Are you going to scold me like a child, or are you going to help me?"

  Taking advantage of having him at her mercy, she decided to toy with Terric a bit. Pretending to think over his question, she said, "I do not know. After all, it was your idea for me to pummel you today on the training field. Maybe you should suffer the consequences for your stupidity?"

  Before she knew what he intended, Terric grabbed Jacqueline around her waist, threw her on the bed, and laid his full weight atop her. Seeing her shocked expression at having her advantage so quickly taken from her, he smiled down at her. "Now, what were you saying, saucy wench?"

  Squirming a little, she managed to free her hands and place them on his chest. She gave a shove, but he did not budge an inch. Intending to plead for her release, she lifted her eyes up to his face. The look of teasing, which had been there a minute before, was gone. What Jacqueline saw made her shiver in response.

  It was not from fright, but something else entirely different. He looked as if he wanted to devour her, and she had to a
dmit she found it exciting. Watching the vein in his neck pulsing quickly, a match for his rapidly beating heart, Jacqueline licked her lips. With a groan, Terric lowered his mouth and claimed her lips.

  To Jacqueline, nothing existed but Terric and herself. The sensations his kiss was causing within her, she found both thrilling and a tad bit scary all at the same time. She had never kissed like this before. It was like being consumed by fire. Her whole being became focused on the joining of their lips. Terric licked her bottom lip. Gasping at the mere touch of his tongue, she unwittingly allowed him access to her mouth.

  The feel of his tongue gently sweeping hers made the delicious sensations swirling in her body, intensify. She moaned. Her body was craving something, something she knew only Terric could provide. She ached, for what she had no idea, but she felt it prominently at the apex of her thighs.

  Trying to relieve some of the aching, she instinctively moved, pressing herself up against Terric's strong body. This only intensified the ache as she felt something large and hard come in contact with her mound. In a natural response, Jacqueline rubbed herself against the hard ridge of Terric's sex. Pleasure shot through her body, causing wetness to pool between her legs.

  Her small movement was enough to bring Terric back to reality. Twisting his head away, he broke the contact with her lips. Looking down at her, he saw Jacqueline still had her eyes closed. Her face was flushed with desire and her lips were bruised looking from his kisses. It proved to take all of his willpower not to claim her lips once more and not take what she was so freely offering. All he had to do was pull down both their hose and sink his cock into her hot, wet opening. But sanity won the day as he pushed those thoughts away and gained control over himself.

  Sensing his withdrawal, Jacqueline slowly opened her eyes. She looked up at him questioningly.

  "We cannot do this, Jacqueline. I am sorry. I let things get out of hand."

  Blinking, she finally became aware of where she was. The feel of having him lying flush atop her, settled between her legs, still sent ripples of pleasure through her body. Now that he no longer kissed her, her commonsense took over. Realizing her hands were still pressed to his chest, she gave Terric a push. This time he released her by rolling onto his side. Jacqueline quickly slid off the bed and turned to face him.

  "I know we cannot. Do not take all the blame for this. I could have stopped you if I chose to."

  Terric, having moved onto his back on the bed, groaned and stared up at the ceiling. "Are you trying to torture me, Jacqueline? Do not say such things to me or you may very well find yourself back under me on this bed."

  She felt her face grow hot and a shiver of pleasure run up her back. "Then I had best say no more." Feeling flustered, she started to walk toward the chamber door. Terric stopped her before she could reach it.

  "Jacqueline, wait. You have to help me with my shoulder."

  Turning, she nodded and returned to the bed. "Would it not be better for me to just get Edwin?"

  "Nay. I am in no mood for him to berate me. I will hear more than enough from him on the morrow as is. You can do it, just as I did for you."

  Taking a deep breath, Jacqueline removed her boots and climbed up onto the bed. Taking hold of Terric's left arm, she placed her foot in his underarm.

  When he had done this to her, it had only taken him a couple of tugs. But for her, she found it no easy task to perform. She knew she was hurting him because he groaned with each attempt she made to right the shoulder. After a half dozen tries, they were both sweating from the effort.

  "Terric, I do not think I am strong enough to do this."

  "Do not give up now, Jacqueline. It is just about back into place. One more good yank should be all it needs."

  Wiping her sweating palms on her tunic, Jacqueline adjusted her grip, then pulled for all she was worth. At that instant, two events happened. The chamber door was thrown open by her mother, and Terric's shoulder loudly popped back into place.

  Both Jacqueline and Terric froze when Lady Elizabeth barreled into the chamber. Looking from one to the other, she demanded loudly, "What goes on here, Jacqueline?!"

  Feeling much like she did when as a small child she was caught doing something her mother disapproved of, she dropped Terric's arm and jumped off the bed. Noticing how stiff her mother stood, Jacqueline could see she was furious.

  "I was only helping Terric."

  "Helping him to do what exactly? I expected better from you, Jacqueline." Lady Elizabeth snapped back.

  Knowing what her mother would be thinking had happened between Terric and herself, Jacqueline quickly defended herself. "It was nothing inappropriate, mother. Sir Terric had dislocated his shoulder during our training. So I was only returning the favor he did me. I simply fixed his shoulder."

  Her mother did not appear to be at all happy with her explanation. Her eyes still seemed to be shooting sparks with anger. "This will not do, Jacqueline. Do you think I am a fool? What I heard being said behind this closed door did not sound in any way appropriate."

  Recalling what she and Terric had been doing before, Jacqueline could not stop the guilty flush which rose to her cheeks.

  Seeing how Lady Elizabeth held her lips in a harsh line with displeasure, Terric rose up off the bed to stand next to Jacqueline. "Please do not be angry with Jacqueline. It is entirely my fault for her being here. I convinced her to stay, even though it went against her better judgment. I can assure you, it will not happen again."

  "It will not Sir Terric. For if I find my daughter in your chamber, while you are only half dressed again, you will no longer be welcome here. I suggest the next time you injure yourself, have your squire attend you, not my daughter."

  Terric bowed to Lady Elizabeth. "You have my word, my lady. I will not put Jacqueline in such a position again."

  "I am glad we have reached an understanding, Sir Terric. Now, I am having the evening meal served. Come Jacqueline. Let us leave Sir Terric alone, so he can garb himself decently."

  Not giving Jacqueline any chance to refuse, her mother took hold of her arm and pulled her from the room. Jacqueline had just enough time to throw an apologetic look over shoulder at Terric before her mother roughly yanked her through the chamber door.

  * * * *

  The meal was a very strained affair. At least that was how Jacqueline found it to be. Her gaze was drawn to Terric time and again. She could still feel the sensation of his lips claiming hers, his powerful body surrounding her. Terric seemed not to notice her watching him. But Jacqueline knew he was not totally oblivious. For each time she averted her eyes, she felt the sensation of being watched.

  Beth, who sat next to Jacqueline, caught the furtive looks the two kept sending to each other. There was no mistaking the change which had taken place in their relationship. Beth smiled to herself. Jacqueline needed a man like Terric at her side, a man who would accept her for what she was, and would not try to change her. And Terric was that man. Maybe a little nudging on her part could help steer Jacqueline in the right direction.

  * * * *

  They ganged up on him. Much to his disgust, he had had to give ground.

  After the slight injury to his shoulder the day before, Jacqueline and Edwin decided training had to be put off for a few days. Terric had told them his shoulder was all right, but they would not listen to him. A few days of rest would do him good, or so they told him.

  He would rather be out on the training field. The idleness gave him too much time to think, too much time to remember. The incident that had taken place in his chamber the evening before still haunted him. So much so, he found he could not be in the same room as Jacqueline for long stretches at a time without his body betraying what he was feeling. His cock would grow hard the instant Jacqueline entered his thoughts. So he had escaped to walk the castle walls.

  But even up here, the memories would not leave him. Just closing his eyes brought the taste of her lips flooding back to him and the feel of her body pressed flush
up against him. As if to bewitch him more, Terric spotted the object of his desire crossing the bailey below.

  Jacqueline was conversing with Edwin as they walked toward the stables together. He did not bother to hail them.

  How he could have believed her to be a man was beyond him. Jacqueline was every inch a woman. Even with her cropped hair, it did not detract from that overall perception of her. If anything, it enhanced her features. Soft auburn curls framed her face. Terric would have loved to see Jacqueline with long hair, falling to her waist.

  Both Jacqueline and Edwin disappeared into the interior of the stable. A few moments later, Jacqueline stepped back out into the bailey. She appeared to be searching for something. She scanned the bailey, turning her head to look in every corner.

  Terric knew when Jacqueline finally spotted him standing atop the walls staring down at her. A radiant smile broke across her face. She waved, then came up to join him.

  "So this is where you have been hiding yourself."

  "I am not hiding. I am only enjoying the sunshine." Terric replied.

  Jacqueline laughed and shook her head at him. "If that is what you want to call it. I get the distinct feeling you are trying your best to avoid me." To prove her point, she moved to stand right next to Terric. Standing with her arms resting on top of the walls, the same as he, their bodies almost touched. Terric moved farther down the wall, increasing the space between them.

  "What is it, Terric? Have I done something to upset you?"

  "Nay, you have not. It is I. I am the problem."

  Jacqueline took a deep breath. "If you are worried about what happened the other night, do not. I know how you feel about that. It was a moment of weakness, for the both of us. We will just have to put it behind us."

  When Terric did no more than nod his head, she decided it would be best to leave him alone. Before taking her leave, she impulsively grabbed Terric's hand and squeezed it.

  Once Jacqueline was gone, Terric released the tight grip he held on himself. Just the simple touch of her hand on his had almost been too much for him to bear. It had taken all, everything he possessed, to not pull her into his arms. If he had given in to his impulse, he would not have let her go. It mattered not that they were atop the castle walls. He would have taken her, then and there. He would have pulled her down onto the rough, cold stones and sunk his throbbing cock into her moist depths.